Albuquerque Academy - Summer Design Studio

Architecture & Design Education in New Mexico

Based upon the belief that children can, and should, contribute to the design of their own environments to create a sense of ownership and participation, the concept of K-12 architecture design education in New Mexico has developed over the years.

Design Plus LLC is an architectural design firm whose primary focus is in the design of educational facilities.  The firm started “Design Plus Education” to promote design education which encourages students and adults to understand, embrace and celebrate their built and natural environments by integrating its professional skills and knowledge into challenging hands-on educational design experiences.

Summer Design Studio at Albuquerque Academy

Albuquerque Academy offers an extensive 6-week program of over 185 courses during the summer.  As a part this program, Design Studio courses started at the Albuquerque Academy in 2005 and are presented by Design Plus Education in collaboration with Anne Taylor Associates.

Design Studio provides two 3-week afternoon design camps.  Some students take one camp for three weeks and some take the entire six weeks.  Although students were divided into different studios by their curriculum based on the students’ age and previous experiences, they shared many small projects and their learning environment together.  At the end of each session, all students presented their work to their parents and observers from the architecture and construction community. Different themes and projects are introduced each year so that repeat students can advance their learning further.  New courses were added - two interior design courses and one aftercare program.